Broadband Light Sources For Optical Fiber Communication

A broadband light source (BLS), as opposed to the monochromatic light source, generates light throughout a wide range of wavelengths. These light sources rely on the increased spontaneous emission of diode-pumped erbium-doped fibers. Broadband light sources are particularly useful since they emit a wide variety of light wavelengths.

The tungsten-halogen lamp, which is normally driven by a stable DC power supply, is the most popular broadband light source used for near-IR spectroscopy. This source has a long life and provides high energy in the near-infrared, where halogen works to return tungsten vapor back to the filament. Broadband light sources are frequently replaced by lasers, which produce a coherent and almost monochromatic output.

In this blog, we will look at the major aspects of optical fiber communication and how are broadband light sources useful for optical fiber communication.

What Is Optical Fiber Communication?

Optical fiber communication, as the name implies, is a form of broadband connection that transmits and receives data or signals using optical fibers. It often uses glass or plastic cables, which address the problems of traditional copper cables’ poor speed and limited distance bandwidth carrying capability. Voice, video, and telemetry may all be transferred over local area networks or great distances using this kind of communication.

These broadband light sources are typically semiconductor laser diodes or laser diodes in most systems. Although other aspects are identical to other broadband connections, its high-speed capabilities are what sets fiber optics broadband apart from its competitors.

Why Are Broadband Light Sources Preferred for Optical Fiber Communication?

As previously said, fast connectivity is always preferable over slow-speed connections for trouble-free internet use, which is obviously given by optical fiber communication. Here are a few reasons why optical fiber should be preferred over other forms of Broadband light sources:

• A high-speed, seamless internet connection offered by optical fiber would be irreplaceable for professionals working from home and relying on the internet as their primary source.

• When a higher level of performance is necessary, such as when an optical fiber link must function over longer distances and at higher data rates, broadband light sources are utilized.

• The directed output of the broadband light source significantly improves light transmission efficiency into the optical fiber cable. 

• A fast and secure internet connection supplied by optical fiber is always a plus point in settings where people are likely to share internet connections across several devices, such as residential areas, malls, restaurants, corporate offices, and enterprises.

• Direct modulation of broadband light sources is common. This is a straightforward and efficient way of converting data to an optical signal.

• There is a limited spectral bandwidth of broadband light sources because they produce coherent light.  So the BLS can transport data at significantly greater speeds.

Applications Of Broadband Light Sources In Various Industries:

1. Spectroscopy: Ultraviolet spectroscopy is a method that is widely used in a variety of scientific domains. These include drug detection, quality control in the beverage industry, and chemical research, to name a few. The number of unique wavelengths of UV or visible light absorbed or transmitted by a substance is determined using this method. This was accomplished using broadband light sources.

2. Forensic Investigation: To solve the case and make a conclusion, it is important to identify biological evidence at the crime scene, such as blood, sperm, saliva, and urine. This work, however, is tough and cannot be completed with standard lighting. This is why we need specialized or one-of-a-kind light sources, such as broadband light sources.

3. Optical Pumping: For optical pumping, broadband light sources are often utilized. Here, Optical pumping means the employment of light energy to move atoms of a system from one energy level to another. Broadband or broad-spectrum is commonly used to cause the transition between levels.

4. Biomedical Imaging: Endoscopes generate a picture of the inside of the body using optical fibers. A bundle of optical fibers can be inserted into the body by a doctor. With this, doctors can see a clear image of the inside of the body, which makes it easier during keyhole surgery, they can also detect diseases like cancer.

5. Optical fiber sensing: In optical fiber sensing, optical fibers are used as sensors to monitor strain, temperature, pressure, and other parameters.

Future Scope of Broadband Light Sources For Optical Fiber Communication:

Fiber-optic networks are critical telecommunications infrastructure for global broadband networks. Wide bandwidth signal transmission with minimal latency is a critical need in different applications. In the coming years, they could play significant roles in many industries.

According to several estimates, the fiber optic market compound annual growth rate might grow approximately 8.0 percent by 2025, meaning that more sectors would be interested in the solutions given by this technology.

With the capacity to give speed rates close to 1GBps, fiber optic broadband is the future of internet access. Fiber optics services are used in companies and even homes in nations such as the United States of America. If you want to learn more about broadband light source and their applications, check our blog: Definition & Applications of Broadband Light Source.

Inphenix is a prominent manufacturer of light sources and lasers in the United States. Our well-known products include O band amplifiers, distributed feedback lasers (DFBs), swept-source lasers, VCSELs, and broadband light sources. Check our other blogs to learn more about our products.